How to Cultivate California Papaya. The California variety of papaya plant is one type of papaya that is currently popular and is currently being planted by many farmers because it is very promising for its benefits. California papaya has become more popular over time. Many farmers and gardeners grow California papaya varieties on a large scale.
The California Papaya plant has seeds with small, oval-shaped grains. If sown, the leaves are light green and under 7 months old, there are pigtails or antennae that rise short at the tips of the leaves. The height of the papaya tree is relatively dwarf, 1.5 – 2 m with short stems and fronds.
This is closely related to the increasing market demand for California papaya. Consumers seem to prefer papaya from America. The thick flesh, sweet taste, and longer shelf life are some of the reasons why California papaya is in great demand.
read too : How to Plant Strawberries Hydroponically
Farmers and gardeners choose this variety for several reasons, including the high productivity and fast fruiting (dwarf) of the California papaya. Another reason is its tolerance to climate and weather. The California papaya variety can also be planted and grows optimally anywhere, including on peatlands.
This type of papaya does not have specific growing requirements because this variety can grow optimally in lowland, central and mountainous areas. California papaya can be cultivated at any time, both in the rainy season and the dry season. Good soil for growing California papaya is loose, slightly sandy, and rich in humus. This variety is best grown in well-drained soil that is not waterlogged or muddy. The ideal pH for California papaya is between 6.0 and 7.0 (neutral) and requires full sun.
Techniques for Planting California Type Papaya
1. How to Prepare and Sow California Papaya Seeds
It is best to use quality seeds that have been tested for satisfactory results. California papaya reproduces by seed (generatively). Seeds can be found in farm stores, with many brands of California papaya seeds currently on the market. Seeds are sown first in polybags with a minimum diameter of 10 cm. The plant substrate is a mixture of soil, bark, charcoal, compost/fertilizer in a ratio of 3:2:1. Mix all the ingredients until evenly mixed, then put it in an open place away from rain and direct sunlight. After 7 or 10 days, put the planting medium in a polybag and the California papaya seeds are ready to be planted. Seedlings can be planted at the age of 1 or 1.5 months.
2. Preparing California Papaya Land
How to Cultivate California Papaya - The land is first cleaned of weeds, wood roots and previous plant remains. The land is then plowed or weeded. Sprinkle dolomite lime if the soil pH is below 6.0. Arrange drainage by making beds or ditches. The bed is made with a width of 1.5-2 meters, the height and length are adjusted to the conditions of the country. The distance between beds is 80-100 cm. Ditches and benches are made with the aim of facilitating irrigation in the dry season and preventing the soil from pooling in the rainy season.
3. Sowing California Papaya Seeds
Before sowing the seeds, make a planting hole in the bed. The planting hole is made with dimensions of 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm (modified to suit the size of the polybag). The planting holes in the bed are 2.5-3 meters apart, then sprinkle dolomite lime in the planting holes if the pH is below 6.0. Allow about 2 weeks before sowing the seeds. Then prepare a mixture of soil and fertilizer with a 1:1 composition, put it in a place protected from rain for 2-3 weeks. This soil is useful for collecting planted seeds and acts as basic fertilizer.
Once the holes are drilled and all the above preparations are made, it's time to plant the California papaya seeds in the field. Use healthy, disease-free seeds. Open the polybag carefully so that the planting medium does not break, then plant the seeds in the planting hole. one seed one hole. Fill the planting hole with the prepared mixture of soil and fertilizer. Press a little to harden so that the seeds don't crumble easily and dry out. Planting should be done in the afternoon. After planting, wash with plenty of water (if the soil is dry). Check plants regularly after planting. Prune as soon as the plant dies or is disturbed by pests. Sutures can be performed up to 3 weeks of age or up to 1 month after implantation.
4. How to Fertilize California Papaya Monitoring and Types of Fertilizer Used by California Papaya Plants
Must receive additional fertilizer for good growth. Fertilizer is given at least once every 3 months. After fertilization, it is given as fertilizer up to 10-15 kg per tree. NPK fertilizer can also be added at a dose of 100-150 kg for one growing season. The manure used must be mature or old manure. The fertilizer was distributed to me